Improvement in treatment of minerals and metals



' 2Sheets'Sheet 1. I. P. GILL.

TREATMENT OF MINERALS AND META-LS. No.182,457 Patented. S'ept.19. 1876 PAl [1,?ETERS, FHOT0-LITHOGRAP1E WASmNGToN, D C.

Z Sheetv-Sheet 2.

1 J. P. GIIaIi. TREATMENTOF MINERALS AND METALS. No.-182,457..

'Patemed Sept- .9, 1876.

N. PETERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPNEIL WASHINGTON. D. c.

EPH PEABS G L a -F NEWARK JERSEY- MPBQi FMFN- N TREA MENT Ml?! EBAL h?MFUTMWE spec ifiqatiqn fqrni ingpar tpf Letters Patent No. 18

we? dete fi rhe ehe ,81 e nh e ieh filed s ll s f e 1 2, 131

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e h le re 'Newerleeeuhty o E e an Stet-e f Ne le t have i v nte ee eh ne146 eefh h 'lmmeteei hte in he T ea -1 heeh 9 Mih eeleahd M ta s, i thel eve-Les 1 en reelw of ere in the ma h ele re 0 heeheee e hihd en i het e hent ef em an ehee ,imehhfeethree b th use ,e

h hee h, h eee eerh eehhe e erenehne i ee am, ehde mesanic-bxille andIcarbdnic-aeigi l ete -h f'eg n g t-e, and yd o evee fie fa h e h rebydecla he e el e i is e l eleer ehd eeetd eeh p ie 1 th -r e hifehwi eheheethe s d i h af 1 Whi hi Per h-met hh eifet hd an use th ewe- Mi h ehien e he fi t in the d rec e v e i h e h d e e see, eithe pu e er with asmall atlinixt reef carbqnic-oxide gas, 1 ehmeith r h o b he 1 9 1 steayd're e e eee eh rev rsed v eeh hie-exi i a d erhon e-ae g esee hereinafer f i i emtout e or o m a sto' miner l It? the eh e t re efzh e i t0metals in "the; hr'ee e hehh ehi e nldi e menu e hree of me a sew n hedi ee enpheet of he el ehl he tie o .e n thee d s ea an h dreeerfherever to ne als, thre rend me eeherei ef e p eifie h e i the generaltreatment and lllflllllfitctlllQOf miner- 1 el i e e eh heetele, h h eehe te ev if edn by the se Of eeee sup rhea e st and.

hy eeet h rever mehe eewr fl und rwecesses aud'by apparatusvdeseribeglin United stat s Pa e s Nos. 171,117, 179,474, 311G179,-

475, and in my application file cl hy e August 21, 1 876,,thesaid gasesbeing delivered fro n th ee er h ehd ge r hekh envemtu y; means of aregnlatqr, asin Patent 179,475, qr,

by thegas-making apparatus, shown inflates 1 and 2 of the anhexerldrawing, which is hereby naa de part of this specification.

I tip not here restrict myself to the fqrrns qt apparatusthereindesignated, but may use ether analogous ,forms suitable for substanfl theeem tree me o mihe eeii and metals.

h pi heih ege erhhl th us o h d hh r h ee' e,empleye hye nd d eeeih h ia V a h thete v re fpetehte a d annh et ehaheve Be it known that I, J'0'sE H R A s GILL,

The hy ro e emp yed hym lie the se lillfill lt lly hew es y gen, an iused in a pure or nearly pure state,i0r with a s n-all admixture Qfcarbqnic-ogzide gas, except i i h eth lw e pee hed, it b i g p ri edhyth phenic air, in the cqr'nhinations hereinafter,

neans iemployegland described by ne herein.

I t e th thydee e e h e yd e- I s s lwelr en e V3901? su e h a ed S eam,eeehehieze e e ee hen eee d h ihehferep e h i the ya nus articles in thevarious,

hee H precess es named in open furnaces-in which i ie ah ,pr duete ofheeih hs ie a e admitte l, as blast, reverberatqry, and other fur.-naces in an apparatus'or furnace in which air isfnot ailinitted to thesubstances under treatment, as in appn verter for themanufacture qfnolten'steel; orin which air is aclniittetl only in quantitysufficientfer the combusti n f the fuel, as in a reverberatory or reheatingfurnace Qrin closed YBSSBlSQIQhtID- hers frern which atmospheric air isexcluded, such as annealing and reheating furnaces, retorts, esselsforcoating wrought-iron with ll f slQ9 ,Q 6 7 fo co e tin Wro gh -hen intosteel, for treating the surfaces of iron eastings, Ste. The differentdescriptions '91: he fur e e, ende he a parat sed in eeeh .ees I edepttih e ee 'he e m t h everal artielesrequire.

x i l e e the o thes d ffe en ,efl' et T g hhsle the eeetre.efeheperete' sk e in the art.

In therednetign fpres, such as the pxides eh ee rh e e e i e the ehheleenab e-est furnace, I have already described an application of myprocess, in United States Patent 179,475, to the oxides of iron. As animprovement to the application of the process therein described, I usethe following method of treatment: The furnace being filled withalternate layers ,of ore and lime, and heated to the proper degree oftemperature by the combustion of the hydrogen, I admit the hydrogen inexcess, which combines with the oxygen of the ore, forming water, whichescapes. It also combines with sulphur, phosphorus, and otherimpurities, as before described, and the ore is reduced to a sponge. Ialso admit carbonicoxide gas, to assist in the reduction of the ore. Inorder to supply the ore, when reduced as above, with sufficient carbonto enable it to melt and run freely, I introduce into the fur- ;nacecarbureted-hydrogen gas or hydrocarbon vapors in regulated quantities,to give the proper degree of fluidity to the iron without overchargingit with carbon. Or, when required, I introduce a larger proportion ofhydrocarbon, in order to supply the necessary percentage of carbon tothe iron to convert it into steel or cast-iron.

When the ores-of the carbonates of iron are reduced in said furnaces, Iuse hydrogen gas as the purifying agent to remove the carbonic 'acidfrom the ore, as well as other impurities which may be present, assulphur, 850., the hydrogen uniting with .the carbon to form a-earbureted-hydrogen gas, which is consumed in the furnace. I employsuperheated steam,

- atmospheric air, or carbonic-acid gas alternately, or in conjunctionwith the hydrogen gas, at such times as they are preferably used 'toassist in the reduction of the ore, and also carbonic oxide or ahydrocarbon, to assist in maintaining or regulating the degree ofcarbonin the metal as it is being reduced.

When the furnace has been filled with alternate layers of ore and lime,after the usual manner, and brought to the proper degree of heat by thecombustion of the hydrogen, which I admit through the usual tuyeres, thehydrogen, being in excess, combines with the carbon, and a reduction ofthe ore takes place. I also admit the hydrogen through tuyeres, whichenter the top and sides of the furnace below the red ucing-zone. I admitsuperheated steam in regulated quantities, when the ore is in a propercondition to receive it, through the lower or upper tuyeres, as may berequired, to assist in maintaining the temperature, and also to assistin the reduction of the ore by the decomposition of the steam, theoxygen of the steam uniting with the carbon of the ore, formingcarbonic-acid gas, which is expelled from the furnace. I also admitheated atmospheric 'air or carbonic-acid gas through the tuyeres, inregulated proportions, at the earlier stage of the process, to assist inthe reduction of the ore by the combination of the oxygen with thecarbon.

If too much carbon is removed from the ore to enable it to melt and runfreely from the furnace. I introduce through the lower tuyerescarbonic-oxide or a hydrocarbon gas or vapor in quantity sufficient tocarburet the iron, to give it the proper degree of fluidity with theordinary temperature of a blast-furnace. By this method I produce a verypure quality of iron from a blast-furnace.

When cast-iron or steel is desired, I produce it by introducing throughthe lower tuyeres of the blast-furnace a hydrocarbon gas or vapor insulficientquantity to impart to the iron the percentage of carbonrequired.

In order to produce the iron from the ore without the melting process ofthe blast-furnace, I place the ore in a vessel similar to that specifiedby T in furnace B, Fig 3, Plate 1, in the annexed drawing, or in anyvessel or retort corresponding thereto, from which the products ofcombustion are excluded, and which is heated by external heat. I admitinto said vessel, through suitable pipes or tuyeres, a current ofhydrogen gas. If the ore is an oxide of iron, the hydrogen unites withthe oxygen, forming water, which is expelled. To assist in this spongingof the ore by the deoxidation of it, I admit in regulated proportionscarbonic-oxide gas by means of a suitable pipe or tuyere. By this methodof treatment I obtain a very pure sponge; and when I desire to convertit into cast-iron or steel, I

introduce, through pipes ortuyeres, hydrocarbon gas or vapors insufficient quantity to impart to the iron the percentage of carbonrequired. If the ore is a carbonate of iron, the hydrogen unites withthe carbon to form a carbureted-hydrogen gas, which is expelled. Toassist in the sponging of this ore by the decarbnration of it, I admitsuperheated steam, in regulated quantities, when the ore is in a propercondition to receive it, by means of suitable pipes or tuyeres, theoxygen of the steam uniting with the carbon of the iron to form carbonicoxide or acid gas, which passes ofi'. I also admit heated atmosphericair or carbonic-acid gas at the earlier stage of the process, by meansof suitable pipes or tuyeres, to assist in the sponging by thecombination of the oxygen with the carbon, 1 thus produce a very pureiron sponge, which I also convert into a steel or cast-iron sponge, whenrequired, by the use of hydrocarbon gas or vapors, as hereinbeforedescribed. This sponge, when completed, I withdraw in a heated state,and treat it in one of the three ways indicated by the character of thesponge produced. When it is a wroughtiron, homogeneous, or steel sponge,I transfer it to a reverberatory or puddling furnace to prepare it fortreatment under thehammer or in the rolls. I also transfer the steelsponge to suitable crucibles for smelting. The cast-iron sponge Itransfer to cupola or blast furnaces for the manufacture of ironcastings.

I also treat ores for their reduction into sponge in a similar manner tothat described above in rcvcrberatory or reheating furnaces, atmosphericair being admitted, by. measure,

in quantity only sufficient for the conversion of the fuel intocarbonic-acid gas or watery vapor. Inthese furnaces I preferably use gasor hydrocarbon vapor for the fuel. In. this process the products ofcombustion are comparatively harmless, and do'not come in direct contactwith the ore. The hydrogen or other gas or vapor, being applied directlyto the ore, prevents the direct contact of the productsof combustion,and their action in the sponging of the ore is analogous in principleand use to that hereinbefore described.

in g gases by the decomposition of highly superheated steam andhydrocarbon va'pors, which I admit into said retorts in such a regulatedmanner as by their decomposition to produce hydrogen and carbonicoxidegases, the iron being purified and converted into steel,semisteel,orcast-iron by the action of the said steam and vapors.

I also treat wrought-iron to convert it into steel, homogeneous iron,cast-iron, or malleable cast'iron bythe direct application ofhydrocarbon vapors, carbureted-hydrogen gas, or carbonic-oxide gas in aclosed vessel, box, or retort heated in a furnace, and from whichatlnospheric air is excluded, the gas or vapor being admitted into thesaid closed vessel or retortin regulated quantities by means of suitablepipes from an apparatus preferably similar to either of those describedin United States Patents Nos. 171,117, 179,474, and 179,475, and inPlate 1 of the annexed drawing. I This special treatment is applicableto the restoration of deteriorated iron by preparing it for furthertreatment in the refinery, cupola, or reverbera'tory furnace.

In the treatment of iron sponge, and also the iron from theblast-furnace in refining, reverberatory, and puddling furnaces, inaddition to the direct application of hydrogen as a purifying agent, 1use it for fuel, thus avoiding the introduction of carbon into thefurnace or I use a solid carbonaceous substance, such as coal, for fuel,butpreferably a carbonaceous gas or vapor, air being admitted, bymeasure, only in the proportion to convert the carbon into carbonic-acidgas. I apply the hydrogen to the metal in the furnace by means ofsuitable tuyeres to remove the carbon and other impurities. I also, at agiven time, introduce superheated steam and atmospheric air in limitedregulated quantity to assist in the purification, avoiding the oxidationof the per cent. of carbon, I apply hydrocarbon gas and vapors in thesteel converter to the molten iron. I also convert the preparedwroughtiron plates into steel or homogeneous iron, containing a greateror less percentage of carbon, and I also use hydrogen gas in the heatingand rolling of the plates, whether of wrought-irony;homogeneous iron, orof steel. The several processes involved in this manufacture, havingbeen previously described herein, do not need further description.

In order to obtain a sufficiently pure h ydrogen gas for the treatmentof minerals, ores, and metals, and manufactures of metals, by freeing itfrom the presence of carbonic-oxide gas, which is-a product of thedecomposition of water by carbon, I have devised the follow-- ing.apparatus: Any formv of retort may be used. If a single horizontalretort is used, I place in it a smaller retort or'conducting-chamher, asat B and E, Figs. 1 and 5, Plate 2.

The hydrogen and carbonic-oxide gases made in the chambers A and D, orin separate retorts, pass from A into B, through the opening b at therear end and at the bottom of B, or pass from D into E through theopenings f on the sides, and at the rear end :and bottom of E,superheated steam being admitted at the same time through the passages cand 0, respectively. The chambers B and E are filled with incandescentmineral or metallic substances, by the combined action of which and ofthe superheated steam the carbonicoxide is converted into carbonicacidgas. The hydrogen and carbonic-acid gases pass from the chambers B and Ethrough their front ends or openings, and the carbonic-acid gas isafterward removed, if so required, by lime or other alkaline purifyingmaterial, leaving a p ure, or nearly pure, hydrogen gas, which is thendirectly applied to the treatment of minerals, ores, and metals, and themanufacture of metals, as hereinbeforedescribed.

Referring to the annexed drawings, which are hereby made part of thisspecification, Plate 1, Figure 1, represents a portion of the gas andvapor producing apparatus, 860. The pipes specified all have valves toregulate their use or to disconnect, as indicated in the drawing. Bindicates a boiler. S indicates a superheater. 60 indicates a pipeleading from the boiler to the superheaterS; 0. indicates a safety-valveto B. 11 indicates a valve on a. E F indicate a vaporizer. G indicatesthe bench of retorts, 850., Vaporizers, and hydraulic main in Fig. 1United States Patent No. 179,475. 12 indicates a pipe leading from a. tosuperheaters S in bench G, and also in bench H. f indicates branch pipesfrom b to superheaters S containing superheaters and retorts for makinghydrogen gas, carbonic-oxide and car-' bonicacid gases. S S S indicatesuperheaters in bench H. H indicates retorts for ma H indicates a benchof retorts pipes from pipe l. from pipe l to cupola or retort Vin Fig.2. z

ing from hydraulic main I tov pipe d pipes connecting a c with g smallgas holder or receiver.

the hydraulic main to retorts O. 1) indicates a pipe leading fromsuperheater S to vaporizer E F. .7 indicates a pyrometer on pipe 19. cfindicates apressure-gage on p. h indicates a pyrometer on-vaporizer. itindicates apressure-gage on vaporizer. h indicates a pyrometer onsuperheater S. d indicates a pipe leading from superheater S to pipe11.. 0 indicates a'branch pipe from .pipe (1 to vaporizer E F. gindicates a branch pipe from pipe d topipej. j indicates a siphon-pipeconducting hydrocarbon liquids from a tank to vaporizer E F. 70indicates asiphon-pipe conducting hydrocarbon liquids from a tank tovaporizers to bench G. 1 indicates a pipe leadingfrom vaporizer E Ftobenches G and H. ,m indicates branch nindicates a pipe leading indicatesapipe leading from pipe 42 toboiler B, to supply hydrocarbon vapors forfuel. 8'

. indicates a pipe leading from pipe at to pipe 42 Fig. 3, whichcommunicates ,With the furnaces, forges, 850. it indicates a pipeleading from snperheaters iin bench H to pipe 8 vindi- .cates a pipeleading from superheater S to s heater S to retorts H s indicates pipesleadving from lower superheater S? toretorts S and 0. w indicates a pipeleading from retortsH to hydraulic main I. a: indicates a pipe leadingfrom retort G to hydraulicmain J. a indicates a pipe leading fromhydraulic main of bench G to pipe d b indicates a pipe lead- 0 indicatesa pipe leading from hydraulic main J to' pipe d d indicates a pipeleadinglto con- ,densing and purifying apparatus L. L indicatescondensing, purifying, and measuring apparatus as in Fig. 1 UnitedStates Patent No. 179,475. 6? indicates a pipe leading from L togasrholders H H H H H H H H indicate gas-holders. l indicatesoutlet-pipes from the several gas-holders. g indicates a pipe leadingfrom the outlet-pipes of the gasholders to the smell receiver M. 70indicates N indicates the .gas pump and regulator as in Figs. 2, 3,

indicates an outlet-pipe from N, leading to O.

. 0 indicates the air-receiver, as R in Fig. 2

United States Patent 179,475. Mindicates a 8 indicates ,an outlet pipefrom M, leading to pump N. r in dicates a pipe leading from g to uindicates apipe leading from theoutlct of pump N to outlet of receiver0.

Fig. 2,'Plate 1, represents a portion of an apparatus for manufacturinggas under high pressure for delivery to furnaces, 850.

avalve .on Y. carry off the products ofco nbustion. dicateschambers,-with hand hole covers .to line X. d indicates avalve on X. '6il1dicates a valve on pipe n, for .the' admission of superheated steamand hydrocarbon vapors.

.cates a valve on 10 .1) indicates hand-hole to ash-pit. m indicates ;apipe leading from Z to the condensing, purifying, and I measuringapparatus. .0 in- ,dicates the condensing, puritying andmeasuringapparatus.

,atH Fig. 1. pump. f? indicates a pipe leading from X to the tlue X, forthe purpose of increasing. the draft in V. g indicates a pipe leadingfrom bustion.

ing, reheating, or puddling furnace.

. Wise to furnace Q.

the admission of atmospheric air. 0 indicates X indicates a pipe or flueto a in- Zjndicates an outlet-pipe from V, leading to supplementaryretort W. 71. indicates a valve on-Z. Z indicates a pipe leading fromZto Z- l indicatesa valve on Z k indicates a safety-valve on V.dfindicatesfire-bars. 0. indicates a hand-hole to ash-pit. 0 indicates apressuregage on Z. Windicates the sup- 9 indicates a-valve on X bindicateschambers and hand-hole covers to X Z indicatesauoutlet pipefrom V and W,,leading to furnaces,

forges, &c., to supply the gasesunder press- .nre withouttheintervention of a pump or forcing apparatus. 1& indicates avalveon ZIt indicates a pyrometer on Z dtindicates a pressure-gage on ZZtindicates a safetyvalve on 19 indicates a pipefor theadmission ofsuperheatedsteam to W. ,q indi- 6 indicates grate-bars.

it indicates a pipe leading from O to Z. s indicates a valve on Zbetween the pipesm and a. k indicates a pipewith valve, leading from Zto a storage-holder, as

X indicates a blower or force- X to the flue X for the purpose ofincreasing the draft in W. 19 indicates a pipe for the admission ofsuperheated steam and hydrocarbon vapors from-avaporizer. .q indicates avalve on 19.

Fig. 3, Plate 1, represents several kinds of apparatus for theapplication of gases and vapors produced by means of the apparatusdescribed in Figs. land 2, and in UnitedStates PatentNo. 179,475, to thetreatment. ofmin- .erals, ores, and metals. All pipes have valvesattached. 42 indicates the outlet-pipev from O,

Fig.1,leading to the furnaces, forges, &c.,

. the retort in Fig. 2. P indicates a reheatingfurnace. 00 indicatespipes leading, to tuyeres in bottom of reheating-furnace. w indicatespipes leading to furnace, tosupply gas for com Q indicates areverberatory, weldy indicatesbranch pipes to tuyeres, entering sidezindicates branch pipes to tuyeres, entering in an upwarddirection to V Ifurnace Q. g indicates branch pipe to tuyeres at top of furnace Q. 3indicates tuyeres eutering furnace. Q through the top in an inclineddirection. 9 indicates a branch pipe leading into the furnace Q from 1to supply gases or vapors for combustion to heat the furnace. Rindicates a furnace containing closed vessels orretorts for the heatingof minerals,

gases under pressure through the pipe Z direct from the retorts Vand Wwithout the intervention of a gas-holder, or pump, or forcing apparatus.

Plate 2 represents retorts for the treatment of carbonic-oxide gas toconvert 'it into carbonic-acid gas, to purify the hydrogen gas.

Figure 1 represents a retort for the manufacture of hydrogen gas. Fig. 2is a section through a: w in Fig. 1, and is a front view. of retort Aand chamber B. Fig. 3 is a section throughyy in Fig; 1, and is a view ofthe rear end of chamber B, showing the opening b,and passage-way c. Fig.4 represents a plan of the chamber B.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

A indicates the chamber for the manufacture of hydrogen andcarbonic-oxide gases.

B indicates the chamber through which the hydrogen and carbonic-oxidegases pass on their way from A, and in which the carbonic oxide istreated with superheated steam. 1) indicates the opening in the. backand at the bottom of B, for the passage of the hydrogen andcarbonic-oxide gases from A to B. c indicates the pipe or passage-wayfor the admission of superheated steam into B.

Fig. 5 represents a retort for the manufacture of hydrogen gas. Fig. 6represents a front view of the above retort. Fig. 7 represents a sectionthrough 2 z of E in Fig. 5, and shows the openings f for the passage ofthe hydrogen and carbonic-oxide gases from D to E.

D indicates the chamber for the manufacture of hydrogen andcarbonic-oxide gases. E indicates the chamber through which the hydrogenand carbonic-oxide gases pass on their way from D, and in which thecarbonic-oxide gas is treated with superheated steam. f indicates theopenings on the sides and at the rear end and bottom of E, for thepassage of the gases from D to E. e indicates the pipe or passage-wayfor the admission of superheated steam into E.-

-I do not here limit or restrict myself to the forms of apparatus hereindesignated, or now in use for the treatment ofmineral, ores, and metals,and manufactures of metals, suitable and specific forms of apparatusforming subjects of further applications for patents therefor.

I do not here claim the application of the agents and apparatus hereinemployed by me to the forging and welding of metals, they having beenclaimed for such purpose in my application for a patent filed August 21,1876. I do not here, broadly, claim the manufacture of hydrogen andother gases under pressure, nor the process of commingling superheatedsteam with hydrogen and carbonic-oxide gases to diminish the proportionof carbonicoxide in the manner herein described, they being thesubject-matter of another application for a patent for improvements inprocess and apparatus for said manufacture; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure'b Letters Patent, ,is-- I 1. Inthe reduction of ores and. treatment of molten metals, the directapplication, substantially as described, of hydrogen gas, super.- heatedsteam, carbonic-oxide gas, carbonicacid gas, atmospheric air, either hotor cold, the hydrogen being in excess, and carburetedhydrogen gas andhydrocarbon vapors, su-b stantially in the manner as herein described,and for the purpose set forth.

2. In the treatment of metals and manufactures of metals, the directapplication, substantiall y as described, of hydrogen gas, superheatedsteam, carbonic'oxide gas, carbonic-acid gas, atmospheric air, eitherhot or cold, the hydrogen being in excess, and carburete'd-hydrogen gasand hydrocarbon vapors, either with or without a solid, liquid,vaporized, or

gaseous carbonaceous fuel, substantially in solid, liquid, vaporized, orgaseous carbonaceous fuel, substantially in the manner as hereindescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

4. The treatment of iron in heated retorts by means of superheated steamand hydrocar- V bon vapor, during the process of manufacturing heatingand illuminating gases by the decomposition of the said steam and vapor,substantially as set forth.

. 5. The direct application of hydrocarbon vapors, carbureted-hydrogengas, and carbonic-oxide gas, in a closed vessel, box, or retort, heatedin a furnace, and from which atmospheric air is excluded,'to iron, forits conversion into homogeneous iron, steel, malleable cast-iron, orcast-iron,'snbstantially in the manner as herein described, and for thepurpose set forth.

6. In combination with and as a part of the described process for thetreatment of minerals, ores, and metals, and manufactures of metals, thepassing, in a downward direction, of superheated steam or commin'gledsuperheated steam and hydrocarbon vapor, through incandescent mineral ormetallic substances,

heated in a vertical vessel or retort, made steam'tight and ofsufficient strength to resist a high pressure, the said superheatedsteam or combined superheated steam and hydrocarbon vaporsbeingdecomposed in their said passage, and the direct delivery of theresultant hydrogen and other gasesfrom the manufacturing apparatus, withthe pressure of the boiler in which the steam is generated, to theblast, reverberatory, annealing, and the other furnaces and apparatus,without the intervention of gas-holders or pumping apparatus,substantially in the manner as herein described, and for the purpose setforth.

7. In combination with and as a part of the described process oftreating minerals, ores, and metals, and manufactures of metals, thecommingling superheated steam with hydrogen and carbonic-oxide gases ina retort or in a conducting-chamber in and leading from a retort, thesaid retort or chamber containing incandescent mineral or metallicsubstances, for the purpose of converting the carbonicoXide intocarbonic-acid gas, and diminishing the proportion of the carbonic-oxidegas in the hydrogen gas, substantially in the manner as hereindescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

8. In an apparatus for the treatment of minerals, ores, and metals, andmanufactures of metals, a steam-generator, a hydrocarbon-vaporizer, andconnected therewith a vessel or retort for converting the steam andhydrocarbon into gas, and a retort or conducting-chainber for thetreatment of carbonic-oxide gas, and a pipe or pipes leading from saidretorts to the cupola and other furnaces and vessels for the treatmentof minerals, ores, and metals, and manufactures of metals, saidapparatus being made steam-tight, and constructed, as described, so thatthe pressure from the steam-generator shall be transmitted to the gas inthe converting-vessel or retort, and force it through the said pipes tothe furnaces and vessels aforesaid, substantially in the manner asherein described, and for the purpose set forth. 9. In an apparatus forthe treatment of minerals, ores, and metals, and manufactures of metals,the combination of a boiler, B, Plate 1, a superheater, S, ahydrocarbon-vaporizer, E F, a retort-bench, as at G, containing retortsand Vaporizers for the manufacture of heating and illuminating gases, aretort-bench, H, containing superheaters, as at S S S a retort orretorts, EU, for the manufacture of hydrogen gas, a retort, O,for themanufacture of carbonic-acid and other gases, hydraulic mains I and J,condensing, purifying, and measuring apparatus, as at L, gas-holders, asat H H H H small receiving-holder M, forcepump and regulator, as at N,an air or gas receiver, as at 0, vertical vessels or retorts V and W,blower X condensing and purifying apparatus, as at O, retorts andconducting- JOSEPH PEARSON GILL.

Witnesses WM. H. GRENELLE, GHAs. G. HANKS.

